Bellanca 7GCBC N91Z accident near Wellington, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to perform a steep turn at low altitude, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was taking his cousin for an airplane ride. During takeoff, the airplane remained in ground effect until it reached a point near or past the departure end of the runway, and then it entered a right climbing turn. At an altitude of about 100 to 150 ft above ground level, the airplane entered a left turn with a bank angle that increased to about 80° to 90° before the airplane descended and impacted the ground. Wreckage distribution and ground scarring were consistent with a nose-down, low-speed, impact. It is likely that the excessive left bank angle resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17FA080 for the full record.